Effect of Seizure on the Rate of Depression in Pregnant Mice Treated with Pentylenetetrazol

Introduction: Depression is one of the most important psychological disorders in people with epilepsy. However, the effect of seizure on depression during pregnancy has not been studied experimentally. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of Seizure on depression in pregnant mice under treatment with pentylenetetrazol (PTZ).   Materials & Methods: After pregnancy stabilization in mice, one group was classified as the naive group.  the rest of the kindled mice were assigned into three groups including: seizure induction group between the 14th and 19th days of pregnancy once in 48 hours, the sham group received normal saline equal to PTZ intraperitoneally on the 14th and 19th days of pregnancy once in 48 hours and the control group which consisted of pregnant mice kindled without injection during pregnancy. The rate of depression in pregnant mice was measured between 14th and 19th days of pregnancy once in 48 hours and two h after PTZ injection using Forced Swim Test.   Findings: The results showed that depression in PTZ-treated pregnant mice was significantly higher than in other groups; moreover, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).   Discussion & Conclusions: According to the obtained results, seizure in pregnancy results in the increase of drpression levels consequently, it is necessary to identify patients in order to prevent them from depression and therefore avoid negative effects of depression on offspring.